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What is the difference between legend and fable?

legend | fable |

Fable is a synonym of legend.



As nouns the difference between legend and fable

is that legend is a story of unknown origin describing plausible but extraordinary past events while fable is a fictitious narrative intended to enforce some useful truth or precept, usually with animals, birds etc as characters; an apologue. Prototypically, Aesop's Fables.

As verbs the difference between legend and fable

is that legend is to tell or narrate; to recount while fable is to compose fables; hence, to write or speak fiction ; to write or utter what is not true.

legend

English

(wikipedia legend)

Noun

(en noun)
  • A story of unknown origin describing plausible but extraordinary past events.
    • The legend of Troy was discovered to have historical basis.
  • A story in which a kernel of truth is embellished to an unlikely degree.
    • The 1984 Rose Bowl prank has spawned many legends . Here's the real story.
  • A leading protagonist in a historical legend.
    • Achilles is a legend in Greek culture.
  • A person of extraordinary accomplishment.
    • Michael Jordan stands as a legend in basketball.
  • A key to the symbols and color codes on a map, chart, etc.
    • According to the legend on the map, that building is a school.
  • An inscription, motto, or title, especially one surrounding the field in a medal or coin, or placed upon a heraldic shield or beneath an engraving or illustration.
  • A fabricated backstory for a spy, with associated documents and records; a cover story.
    • According to his legend , he once worked for the Red Cross, spreading humanitarian aid in Africa.
  • * 1992 , edition, ISBN 067173458X, page 115:
    • If the documents are needed to establish "a light legend ," meaning a superficial cover story, no steps are taken to make sure that if someone calls the college or motor vehicle department, the name on the document will be registered.
  • * 2003 , Rodney Carlisle, , ISBN 0028644182, page 105:
    • Sorge solidified his own position by returning to Germany and developing a new legend . He joined the Nazi Party.
  • * 2005 , , ISBN 1591146607, page 25:
    • Both the agent's legend and documents were intended to stand up against casual questions from Soviet citizens, such as during a job interview, or a routine police document check, such as were made at railway stations.
  • (UK, Irish, Australia, New Zealand, colloquial, slang) A cool, nice or helpful person, especially one who is male.
    • I've lost my pen! —Here mate, borrow mine. —You legend .

    Synonyms

    * (story of unknown origin) myth * (story embellished to become implausible) myth, tall tale * (leading protagonist) hero * (person of extraordinary accomplishment) hero * (key to symbols on a map or chart) guide, key * (text on a coin) inscription * (fabricated backstory for a spy) cover, cover story * (worthy friend) brick

    Derived terms

    * campus legend * legend in one's own lunchtime * legend in one's own mind * legend in one's own time * living legend * urban legend

    Related terms

    * lege * legendary

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (archaic) To tell or narrate; to recount.
    • (Bishop Hall)

    External links

    * * ----

    fable

    English

    (wikipedia fable)

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A fictitious narrative intended to enforce some useful truth or precept, usually with animals, birds etc as characters; an apologue. Prototypically, .
  • Any story told to excite wonder; common talk; the theme of talk.
  • * 4:7,
    • Old wives' fables .
  • * ,
    • We grew / The fable of the city where we dwelt.
  • Fiction; untruth; falsehood.
  • * ,
    • It would look like a fable to report that this gentleman gives away a great fortune by secret methods.
  • The plot, story, or connected series of events forming the subject of an epic or dramatic poem.
  • * Dryden
    • The moral is the first business of the poet; this being formed, he contrives such a design or fable as may be most suitable to the moral.

    Synonyms

    * (fiction to enforce a useful precept) morality play * (story to excite wonder) legend * (falsehood)

    Verb

    (fabl)
  • (archaic) To compose fables; hence, to write or speak fiction ; to write or utter what is not true.
  • * Shakespeare, 1 Henry VI , IV-ii:
    • He Fables not.
  • * :
    • Vain now the tales which fabling poets tell.
  • * :
    • He fables , yet speaks truth.
  • (archaic) To feign; to invent; to devise, and speak of, as true or real; to tell of falsely.
  • * :
    • The hell thou fablest .

    References

    * (Webster 1913) ----